Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Barry Wilson after 35 remarkable years of service with the fire department, including his dedicated tenure as liaison to Andrews University. A retirement party will be held in his honor on Sunday, May 31, 1:00 PM at the Berrien Springs Oranoko Fire Dept.
How to Become an Influencer: Paul—A Biography
Thanksgiving Behind Bars
Resources
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
Saturday, November 20, 2021
More In This Series
OPENING MUSIC IN JOY
“I Believe in One God” • Wolfgang Mozart
“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” • Kenneth Logan
CHORAL INVITATION TO JOY
“O Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord” • anon. Irish
CALL TO JOYFUL WORSHIP
Psalm 100
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
LEADER: Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PEOPLE: Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
LEADER: Know that the Lord He is God:
PEOPLE: it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
LEADER: Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
PEOPLE: For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations.
HYMN OF JOY
“Sing Praise to God” • anon. / Kenneth Logan
PRAYER OF JOY
Gianna Bacchiocchi, Andrews University student
“BRING JOY!”: A HYMN CYCLE
“Praise to the Lord” • “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” • “Jesus Saves”
MISSION REPORT WITH JOY
William Dos Reis with Dwight K. Nelson
HYMN OF JOY
“Joyful, Joyful”
THANKSGIVING MESSAGE
“Thanksgiving Behind Bars”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
NOTEWRITING IN THANKSGIVING
“Now Thank We All Our God”H. W. Tauscher / Kenneth Logan
Shania Watts, viola; Kenneth Logan, piano
CHORAL THANKSGIVING ANTHEM
“The River of the Water of Life” • Malcolm Archer
“GIVE THANKS!”: A HYMN CYCLE
“For the Beauty of the Earth” •. “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” • “We Plow the Fields and Scatter” • “Come, Sing a Song of Harvest”
COMMUNITY THANKS-GIVING
Pioneer Evergreens Pathfinders
Errol Prentice, Director Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor
HYMN OF THANKSGIVING
“Now Thank We All Our God”
THANKSGIVING BLESSING
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
FINAL THANKSGIVING
“Now Thank We All Our God” • Wilhelm Teschner
Wilson Retirement
Andrews Academy’s Graduation Weekend Events
Congratulations, Andrews Academy seniors! May the same Lord who got you here lead you into the uncharted adventure ahead! “I am with you always,” is His promise. Everyone is invited to attend graduation weekend events. Class Night May 21, 7:00 PM at Andrews Academy, Consecration May 22, 8:00 PM at Village SDA Church, Baccalaureate May 23, 11:45 AM at PMC, Commencement May 24, 11:00 at PMC.
Hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church
You are invited to a Hymnsing on 23 May, 4:00 PM at The Old Rugged Cross Church, 61041 Vermont Street, Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-Day Adventist Hymnal. For further information, contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com.
Offering for May 16, 2026
Pioneer Operating Budget
Our churches should be sanctuaries, places of safety, not only in their physical structure but also in their psychological and spiritual atmosphere. Every person who enters, whether a regular attendee or a visitor, should feel genuinely welcomed and valued. We must be careful not to judge or criticize others based on appearances or perceived shortcomings. The church is not a place for the perfect—it is a hospital for sinners in need of healing and grace. Kathryn Davis, host of the Magnify podcast and seminary teacher, reminds us that “hiding our imperfections or harshly judging ourselves or others for those imperfections can be [harmful] to our mental health.”1
Jesus Himself faced criticism for spending time with sinners. His response was clear: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17, NIV).
As a church, our mission is to reflect Christ’s love and create a space where people can grow in faith without fear of rejection. Jesus was patient and kind, while Satan, the “accuser of the brethren,” seeks to bring shame and make us feel unworthy. Yet, Jesus reassures us, just as He did the woman condemned by the Pharisees: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no
more” (John 8:11, NKJV).
As we return our offerings today, let us also recommit to supporting a church that embodies Christ’s love—a safe and welcoming home for all.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Something in Common Sabbath School
Join us for the “Love Like You Mean It” Series! Sessions will be held in the Pioneer Commons each Sabbath morning from 10:30 to 11:30. Everyone is welcome!
- May 23: Session Seven - Love is Virtuous
- May 30: Session Eight - Love is Honest
- June 6: Session Nine - Love is Tenacious
- June 13: Session Ten - Love Never Fails